Apple iPod flies high on 2007 'cool list'

The geeks strike back: tech = trendy

Consumer technology companies have dominated a Superbrands poll of the 500 coolest brands in the UK. Despite UK car manufacturer Aston Martin coming out on top, 10 of the top 20 coolest brands came from the consumer tech industry.

Apple was a big winner in the poll, scoring a hat-trick of entries in the top 20. Its iPod MP3 player hit number two on the list, while Apple itself came in at number seven and its iTunes software at number 19. The iPhone didn't quite manage to make it into the top 20, squeezing in at number 23.

No style points for Microsoft

Software monster Microsoft didn't even manage to get into the top 500, and neither did PC giant Dell. No real surprises there though.

Google's YouTube video sharing site was third on the list, two places above Google itself with high street hi-fi company Bang & Olufson playing piggy in the middle, at four. The appearance of Bang & Olufson on the list is curious enough in itself; that it made it into the top five is one of the list's biggest surprises.

Gaming is cool

Gaming brands PlayStation and Nintendo also both made it into the top ten, the main surprise being Nintendo coming in at number nine, with the PlayStation up at number six. Microsoft's Xbox gaming brand couldn't even make it into the top 30 - it came in at number 33.

Other notable tech brands were Nokia at number 25, beating rival Sony Ericsson which only came in at 50. Sony was the 26th coolest brand, while hi-fi company Bose took number 28.